Liquefied gas tank distributor valve units

ABSTRACT

A distributor unit for liquefied gas tank, which comprises the whole or part of a tank filling gauge, an output limiter, and possibly a service member, a pressure-reducing device comprising a body and a cover enclosing a resilient diaphragm responsive to the expanded gas pressure and to the action of a compensator spring co-acting with a control knob, and a valve member of the pressure-reducing device actuated by said diaphragm, a pressure indicator being also provided, this unit consisting of a vertical grouping, into a single assembly, of said filling gauge, said output limiter and said pressure reducing device or other service member, said pressure indicator being incorporated in this assembly.

[ 51 Sept. 26, 1972 ABSTRACT lling gauge, an outmember, a pressuredy and a cover eng also proping, into a said output g incor- 21 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 5 SM mm H m mm L m P. Mm R m 0 m mm N ms mm N W m E R 0 F Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Assistant Examiner--David R. Matthews Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher A distributor unit for liquefied gas tank, which comclosing a resilient diaphragm responsive to the expanded gas pressure and to the action of a compensator spring co-acting with a control knob, and a valve member of the pressure-reducing device actuated b said diaphragm, a pressure indicator bein vided, this unit consisting of a vertical grou le assembly, of said filling gauge,

iter and said pressure reducing device or other service member, said pressure indicator bein m rk/diva? i United States Patent lung R 0 T U B I R T S I D K N A T M s n %N IU E E UV L MA LV W [72] Inventor: Jacques lung, Paris, France [22] Filed:

[21] Appl.No.: 16,387

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IJIQUEFIED GAS TANK DISTRIBUTOR VALVE UNITS The present invention relates in general to distributor-valve units equipping notably liquefied gas tanks.

Such units mounted as a rule on liquefied natural gas tanks are well known in the art and comprise a number of components or elements. These consist more particularly of a. supervision instruments, such as the pressure gauge and the filling gauge or the liquid-level indicator b. service apparatus, such as the gaseous-phase cut-off valve c. safety devices, such as an output limiter.

In the known devices, a pressure-reducing device is mounted downstream of this unit in order to reduce the inner pressure of the tank to a value consistent with a normal use in the gas-operated apparatus connected thereto.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a distributor unit of the type broadly set forth hereinabove which permits greatly simplifying the installation by assembling vertically in a same body the above-mentioned instruments, apparatus and devices together with the pressure-reducing device, this arrangement being advantageous notably in that possible recondensations of the gaseous-phase can flow down by gravity into the liquefied gas tank.

This distributor unit comprising the whole or part of the following elements 1 an output limiter a filling gauge for indicating the liquid level in the tank a service member a pressure-reducing device comprising a body and a cover enclosing a resilient diaphragm responsive to the pressure of the expanded gas and also to the action of a compensator spring co-acting with a control handle, and a valve member responsive to said diaphragm and a pressure gauge, is characterized in that it is obtained by assembling into a single and same unit the filling gauge, the output limiter and the pressure-reducing device, the pressure gauge being incorporated in this unit.

According to a specific form of embodiment of the present invention, a base member encloses the output limiter and the filling or liquid-level gauge, and is clamped to the vertical body of the pressure reducing device, the pressure gauge being fitted to said vertical body, the control handle of the pressure-reducing device being adapted on the other hand to isolate the resilient diaphragm of said device from the force of said compensator spring and to close the valve member of said pressure-reducing device under the dual influence of the gas pressure in the tank and of a return spring.

According to a first modification of the form of embodiment broadly set forth in the preceding paragraph, this distributor unit is characterized in that the base member of this unit, which encloses the output limiter and the filling gauge, comprises a pressure-gas outlet orifice whereby this base member can be used without any modification in conjunction either with a ON-OFF valve system or with an expansion device, a needle valve closing this orifice in this last case and permitting the orientation in any desired coaxial angular position and the locking of said pressure-reducing device in the selected position.

According to a second modification of the distributor unit, the latter is characterized by the fact that the knob or handle controlling the pressure-reducing device of said unit comprises an adjustment screw, and that a distance-piece is associated with said screw and also with the compensator spring for limiting the free stroke of this spring, so that the minimum compression of this spring is slightly under the calibrated value thereof when the control knob or handle is screwed out and the valve member of the pressure-reducing device is closed, and that this valve member can be opened when the spring calibrated value is in the fully screwed in position of said control knob or handle.

According to a third modification of the form of embodiment of the distributor unit, the latter is characterized in that the inner chamber of the cover of said pressure-reducing device, which encloses said compensator spring, is dimensioned to permit the complete expansion of said spring so that it cannot exert any pressure on said resilient diaphragm of the pressure reducing device when the control knob or handle thereof is in its fully screwed out position, and that the output is cut off as a consequence of the closing of the valve member of said pressure-reducing device.

According to further modifications of the form of embodiment of this invention, which permits removing the reducing device from said base member of the unit without having to drain the tank, the distributor unit is characterized in that the dipper tube of the filling or liquid level gauge or indicator extends through the body of said base member in which it can slide for abutting against a lower portion of the pressure-reducing device, said dipper tube rigid with a safety valve being adapted to cut off the fluid passage through said base member, said safety valve being on the other hand held in its open position by the lower portion of said pressure-reducing device when the latter is screwed in said base member, a return spring associated with said dipper tube being adapted to move said safety valve to its closed position when the control member (knob or handle) of the pressure-reducing device is unscrewed, the permissible stroke of said safety valve and of said spring being so calculated that said valve is closed before the aforesaid control member is fully unscrewed.

According to a further modification of the form of embodiment of this invention, which permits an easy access to the component elements of said pressurereducing device and to the other service members for checking or replacement purposes, without having to remove the pressure-reducing device completely or drain the tank, this distributor unit is characterized in that the body of said pressure-reducing device is screwed directly in a tapped boss of the tank by means of a hollow screw-threaded shank, and incorporates the filling or liquid-level gauge, the tank pressure gauge and the output limiter.

Other features characterizing this invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the attached drawing illustrating diagrammatically by way of example typical forms of embodi ment of the distributor unit according to this invention. In the drawing FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the distributor unit FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view, with parts broken away, showing more particularly liquefied the gas outlet of the unit of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 shows on a larger scale the distributor unit according to a first modification of the form of embodiment shown in the preceding Figures in this arrangement, an ON-OFF distributor valve is substituted for the pressure-reducing device FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the unit shown in FIG. 3

FIG. is a sectional view showing a second modification of the form of embodiment of a distributor unit, wherein the control system for opening and closing the pressure-reducing device is modified with respect to that shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 6 illustrates in section a distributor body according to a third modification of the form of embodiment, with another modification of the pressure-reducing device control system;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a modified form of embodiment of the distributor unit of FIG. 5, which comprisesan output limiter incorporated in the base member and a safety valve disposed externally of this base member FIG. 8 illustrates in section a modification of a distributor unit of the type illustrated in FIG. 7, with an output limiter on the downstream pressure side within the outlet nozzle of the pressure-reducing device, and a safety valve within the base member FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the limiter, the section being taken along the line IXIX of FIG. 8, and

FIG. is a sectional view showing a modified form of embodiment of the distributor unit of FIG. 8, wherein the body of the pressure-reducing device is secured directly to a gas tank but without safety valve.

Reference will first be made to FIGS. 3 to 10 of the drawing, in which the component elements corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, while the equivalent but different elements are designated by the same reference plus 100. In FIG. 10, the reference numerals differing from those of the preceding Figures are numbered from 201 on.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the distributor unit illustrated comprises a base member 1 containing the output limiter 2 and a liquid-level or filling gauge 3 operating by liquid tapping, a pressure-reducing device 4 clamped in said base member 1 and a pressure gauge 5 screwed in the body 6 of said pressure-reducing device.

The base member 1 is made advantageously of brass and comprises a screw-threaded lower end or extension 7 adapted to engage a corresponding tapped hole of the liquid gas tank (not shown). This lower end comprises a suitable bore 8 receiving the output limiter 2 consisting of a valve member 9 urged by a spring 10, in .the open position, against a perforated washer 11 associated with a filter l2 and retained by a spring ring 13. In case the output exceeds a predetermined limit value, the pressure differential due to the throttling passage A between the upstream and downstream sides causes the valve member 9 to engage its seat 14, thus cutting off the gas passage towards the expansion chamber. A narrow leak passage is provided at B to enable the return of the valve member 9 urged by return spring 10 to its open position after the removal of the cause of an abnormal output. The liquid-level or filling gauge 3 consists of a dipper tube extending into the underlying tank and also through the valve member 9 so as to have its upper screw-threaded end screwed in a tapped hole 15 formed in the upper portion of said base member 1. A transverse passage 16 connects the hole 15 and the gauge tube 3 to a lateral bore 17 formed in a boss 18 of said base member 1. A screw plug 19 provided with a sealing plastic gasket 20 is adapted, by engaging a tapped portion of boss 18, to close the passage 16. A small orifice 21 connects the bore 17 to the surrounding atmosphere.

When filling the tank, the plug 19 is slightly unscrewed so that liquefied gas rises from the tank along the dipper tube 3 when the liquid level has attained the desired value, so as to flow out through the small orifice 21. Thus, the gauge will indicate the filling of the tank with liquefied gas by tapping liquid therefrom.

The upper portion of base member 1 comprises a bore 22 having a tapped upper portion communicating through passages 23 with the aforesaid bore 8 of the screw-threaded lower end or extension 7. A bored cylindrical portion 24 of the body 6 of pressure-reducing device 4, which is externally screw-threaded, engages said bore 22 of base member 1. A resilient sealing O-ring 25 is provided in a groove formed in said cylindrical portion 24. A split collar 26 is formed at the upper portion of the aforesaid base member 1, so that the body 6 of the pressure-reducing device 4 can be clamped thereto in any desired angular position, about their common axis, by means of screw 27.

The body 6 of pressure-reducing device 4 comprises an upstanding collar portion 29 formed with inner screw-threads engaged by a corresponding threaded portion of the skirt of a cover 28. A resilient diaphragm 30 is clamped with the interposition of a gasket 31 between the lower edge of cover 28 and an inner shoulder of body 6, to constitute an expansion chamber 32 adapted to be connected via an integral screwthreaded neck 33 to the pipe line or hose leading to the gas-operated apparatus (not shown).

The resilient diaphragm 30 has its central portion connected through a disc 34 and a core 35 provided with an integral rod 36 to a valve member 37 normally urged by a return spring 38 to its closed position to prevent the passage of gas towards chamber 32 by engaging a seat 39 when said diaphragm is released from the action of a main coil compression or compensator spring 40.

This compensator spring 40 is enclosed in the cover 28 between a lower cup 41 hearing against the disc 34 of diaphragm 30 and an upper cup 42 retained by an adjustment member 43 screwed in the upper bored and tapped portion 44 of cover 28. By screwing or unscrewing the adjustment member 43 the force of spring 40 which is exerted against the diaphragm 30 can be adjusted in order to provide the proper calibration of the downstream gas pressure.

A control knob or handle 45 is screwed in a tapped hole 46 formed in the upper portion 44 of cover 28. A cylindrical rod 47 extends on the one hand through a hollowed central portion 48 of said knob and is a free fit in the adjustment member 43 and on the other hand through the lower cup 41 of spring 40. The upper end of said rod 47 is screw-threaded, carries a washer 49 and is engaged by a nut 50 so as to lock this washer 49 against the inner shoulder 51 of said control knob 45; a flat lateral face 52 prevents the relative rotation of said rod 47 and knob 45. The lower portion of rod 47 carries another washer 53 retained by a spring ring 54. When the control knob 45 is screwed in as shown in FIG. 1 the lower end of rod 47 extends into the cup 41, without contacting same, and the main coil compression spring 40 is adapted to exert its pressure through the medium of this cup against the diaphragm 30. When the control knob 45 is screwed out, the rod 47 rises and its washer 53 engages the cup 41 of spring 40 so as to compress the latter, thus relieving the diaphragm 30, so that the latter be now responsive only to the force of return spring 38 which, in conjunction with the gas pressure from the tank, closes the valve member 37.

A pressure gauge 5 is screwed in a tapped bore 55 formed in the body 6 of the pressure-reducing device. A duct 56 connects this pressure gauge to the main bore 57 of the cylindrical portion 24 of body 6. Thus, the pressure gauge 5 will indicate the pressure of the gas flowing out from the tank.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the distributor unit comprises, in all the three modified forms of embodiment to be described hereinafter, a base member 101 containing an output limiter 2 and a filling or liquid level gauge 3 of the liquid tapping type, which is closed by a plug 19. This base member comprises on one side of its upper portion a screw-threaded cylindrical boss 58 formed with a tapped bore 59 communicating with the axial bore 22 also tapped in said base member. In a first modified form of embodiment a screw-threaded portion 60 of the body 61 of a stop valve 62 having a valve member 63 is screwed in said base member 101. The stop valve 62 is actuated by means of a handwheel or knob 145 secured by a screw 64 to the stop valve. An annular gasket 65 is disposed between the base member 101 and the stop valve body 61 to seal the joint therebetween.

The bore 59 constitutes the gas outlet of bore 22 when the stop valve 62 is open the cylindrical boss 58 is provided for connecting the device to a gas supply pipe or hose.

A pressure gauge 5 (FIG. 4) is provided for checking the liquefied gas pressure in the tank and communicates with the bore 22 of base member 101.

In a second modification of the form of embodiment of a distributor unit according to this invention shown in FIG. 5, the base member 101 of the preceding construction, which incorporates the output limiter 2 and the filling gauge 3, is also used. As in the example shown in FIG. 1, the body 106 of a pressure-reducing device 4 is screwed in a tapped portion of the base member bore 22. A set screw 66 engaging a tapped portion of the orifice 59 constituting the gas outlet in the first modification shown in FIG. 3 permits setting the body of the pressure-reducing device in the desired angular position and also locking same in the selected position. An O-ring 25 seals the joint between the base member 101 and the pressure-reducing device 4.

The body 106 comprises on one side a screwthreaded neck 33 for connecting same to a gas supply pipe or hose, and on the other side a tapped bore 55 engaged by the screw-threaded shank of the pressure gauge 5, this bore 55 being connected through a passage 156 to the expansion chamber 32 communicating with the outlet neck 33. The body 106 has screwed therein a top cover 128 engaging a collar 29 of said body, s shown. A control knob 45 is screwed in a tapped bore 46 formed in the upper portion 144 of said cover.

The valve member 37 of the pressure-reducing device is adapted to slide in the main bore 57 of body 106 and responsive to a coil compression spring 138 having its lower end supported by a suitable perforated washer 67 retained by a spring ring 68. The valve member 37 is connected via a rod 36 to the central portion of the resilient diaphragm 30 interposed between the body 106 and the cover 128. This rod 36 is adapted to slide freely in a bore 69 formed in a transverse partition 70 of the body 106 of the pressure-reducing device, this partition 70 forming with the body 106 and the diaphragm 30 a chamber 71 having a frusto-conical bottom. This chamber communicates on the one hand through an oblique slit 72 formed in said partition 70 with chamber 32 and leading on the one hand into the axial bore 69 and on the other hand via a hole 73 into the gas outlet nozzle or neck 33. Another function of this slit 72 is to permit in conjunction with bore 69 the gravity flow of liquid particles recondensed in chamber 71 towards the liquefied gas tank through the apertures of valve member 37 and limiter 2.

The resilient diaphragm 30 is submitted to the force of a high-flexibility compensator spring 40 enclosed in the cover 128 between the lower cup 41 bearing on a disc 34 rigid with the central portion of diaphragm 30 and an upper cup 42. A distance-piece 74 extending freely through these lower and upper cups limits the free length of spring 40. To this end, this distance-piece 74 is formed with a shoulder 75 bearing against the upper cup 42 and provided at its lower end with a washer 53 retained by a spring ring 54. This washer is adapted to engage the lower cup 41 when the spring 40 is allowed to expand.

The aforesaid distance-piece 74 is formed at its upper end with a cavity 76 receiving ball 77. A screw 78 engaging a tapped hole 48 of control knob or wheel 45 and adapted to be locked in position by a nut 50 extends freely through the cover 128 in a hole 79 and bears with its lower or inner end against the ball 77. This screw 78 permits moving the upper cup 42 in the axial direction in order to adjust the force of the compensator spring 40. The screw 78 is adjusted in such a manner that when the compensator spring 40 is fully unstressed or free and the hand knob or wheel 45 screwed out completely, the diaphragm 30 is compressed to a minimum value lower than the calibrated gauge value of the pressure-reducing device, but relatively close to this value.

The gauge value and therefore the output value are obtained by compressing the spring 40 by means of the control knob 45, i.e., by screwing in this control knob the exact gauge value is obtained when the knob 45 abuts against the shoulder 80 of cover 128 and valve 37 is unseated, as shown in FIG. 5.

The output of the pressure-reducing device is cut off when the hand knob 45 is screwed out a pin 81 rigid with the hand knob and movable in a groove 82 formed in cover 128 is then in abutting relationship with the upper edge of said groove. The spring 40 will then allow the valve member 37 to move to its seated position, thus cutting off the gas supply.

In a third modification of the form of embodiment of the distributor unit according to this invention, which is illustrated in FIG. 6, the only difference from the structure of FIG. resides in the control system for opening and closing the gas output from the pressure-reducing device.

This control system comprises essentially a compensator spring 400 having a free or unstressed length smaller than the room available in cavity 83 of cover 128a. This spring 40a bears with its lower endagainst the disc 34 rigid with the central portion of resilient diaphragm30, and with its upper end against a collar 84 formed on a rod 85 rigid with the control knob 45 and secured thereto by means of a nut 50.

When the control knob 45 is screwed home as shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 6, the spring 40a assumes its calibration value and moves the value member 37 away from its seat 39 so as to open the output'at a pressure corresponding to the gauged value.

When the control knob is fully unscrewed as shown at 45' in the right-hand half of FIG. 6, the spring is expanded and assumes the position 40'a in which it does not exert any pressure on the diaphragm 30. Thus, the valve member 37 urged by its spring 38 can re-engage its seat 39, thus discontinuing the gas output.

Moreover, it is obvious that to all the intermediate positions of control knob 45 there correspond different gauge values and therefore different gas pressures under these conditions, it is clear that the pressurereducing device provides not only the ON and OFF functions but also the adjustable pressure function.

Of course, the base member 101 of FIGS. 3 to 6 may also be used in the distributor unit of FIGS. 1 and 2, or in any other equivalent unit.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrating a modified form of embodiment of the distributor unit shown in FIG. 5, it will be seen that this assembly comprises a base member 101 incorporating the output limiter 2 and a filling or liquid level gauge 3 of the output-tapping type, closed by a plug 19. Screwed in this base member 101 is the pressure-reducing device 4 having its body 106 locked in the desired position by means of a set screw 66 engaging a tapped orifice 58 formed in said base member.

The body 106 comprises an outlet nozzle or neck 33 for connecting same to a gas supply system, and a tapped bore 55 in which a pressure gauge 5 is screwed. A cover 128a is fitted to the top of the body 106 and a control knob or wheel 45 is screwed in the upper portion of the cover.

The valve member 37 of pressure-reducing device 4, which is connected through a rod 36 to the central portion of the' resilient diaphragm 30, is adapted to slide in a central bore 57 of said body 106 and responsive to a compression spring 38. The lower end of this spring engages a suitable perforated washer 67 retained by a spring ring 68 at the lower portion of bore 57.

The filling gauge 3 consists of a dipper tube 103 extending freely through the valve member 9 of output limiter 2. This tube has a narrower portion extending within the body of base member 101 so as to form a chamber 86 connected to a discharge duct 16. A hole 87 formed through the narrower portion of tube 103 permits the flow of liquefied gas during the level gauging operation.

' Screwed on the upper end of tube 103 is a socket 88 engaging the lower face of the washer 67 disposed at the lower portion of the pressure-reducing device. The portion of tube 103 which is immersed in the tank (not shown) is secured, for example by means of weld spots 91, to a valve member 9.

When the control knob 45 of pressure-reducing device 4 is screwed in toward base member 101, the valve 9 is in its open position, i.e., externally of said base member. When the pressure-reducing device is unscrewed, the return spring keeps the socket 88 rigid with the tube 103 in engagement with the washer 67, thus causing the valve member 9 to move towards the lower end of base member 101. Before the pressure-reducing device is screwed out completely, the valve member 9 is seated, thus closing completely the bore 8 of base member 101. Under these conditions, the pressure-reducing device can be removed as a unit, without having to drain the tank beforehand.

In FIG. 8 illustrating a modification of the form of embodiment of the distributor unit of FIG. 7, the dipper tube 103 of the liquid gauge is rigid with the valve member 9, for example by means of weld spots 91, this valve member acting in this case as a safety valve instead of as an output limiter. The return spring 90 is disposed between the valve 9 and a perforated washer 1 1 retained by a spring ring 12 in the lower portion of bore 8 formed in base member 101. This safety valve operates exactly as the one shown in FIG. 7.

The output limiter 102 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is positioned in this distributor unit on the downstream pressure side, in the outlet neck 33 of pressure-reducing device 4. It comprises a square-sectioned member 94 formed with a central bore 95 in which a spring 96 is housed, as shown. A retaining socket 97 is screwed in the tapped outer bore portion of the neck 33 to compress the spring 96, so that the latter constantly urges the square-sectioned member 94 towards the bottom of the neck, asshown. The bore diameter in socket 97 is smaller than the length of each side of the square section of member 94. When no fluid is present, the square-sectioned member 94 slides within the neck 33 to engage in closed position the aforesaid socket 97, thus closing the fluid outlet orifice.

The distributor unit according to the last modified form of embodiment of this invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 10, a pressure-reducing device 204 having screwed in the upper collar portion 29 of its body 206 a cover 128 carrying the control knob or wheel 45, the intermediate portion comprising an expanded-gas outlet neck 33 enclosing an output limiter 102. The body 206 comprises on the side opposite to this neck 33 a boss 202 having screwed in its tapped bore 55 the shank of a pressure gauge 5 indicating the upstream gas pressure.

The lower portion of this body 206 is an integral hollow screw-threaded extension 201 formed with a bore 208, its external screw-threads 207 permitting screwing this unit directly in a correspondingly tapped boss of the liquid-gas tank (not shown), i.e., without using any intermediate base member.

The lower screw-threaded end 201 incorporates a filling gauge 3 for the tank, which comprises a dipper tube 103 adapted to be introduced into the inner space of the tank (not shown). The upper screw-threaded end of tube 103 engages a tapped blind hole 203 formed in a coaxial abutment-forming socket 205. This socket 205 engages with its upper face a shoulder 209 of bore 208 and has its lower face retained by a spring ring or washer 210. The lower face of socket 205 comprises an annular groove 211 communicating through a plurality of orifices 212 parallel to the socket axis with the space overlying the upper face of this socket, to permit the free passage of the fluid flowing from the tank.

The blind hole 203 communicates in turn through a radial passage 213 with a peripheral groove 214 registering with a radial orifice 215 formed through the wall of the lower portion 201 of the body 206, whereby the groove 214 communicates through a radial duct 216 with the bore 217 of a lateral neck 218 of said lower portion 201, to permit the tapping of liquid gas when it is desired to ascertain the liquid level in the tank. A plug 19 provided with a plastic gasket 20 is screwed in a tapped portion of the bore of said neck 218 for sealing the radial duct 216 outside the leveldetermining operations. I

A packing of special synthetic resin, such as the one known under the registered Trade Mark LOCTITE, seals the pressure-reducing device 204 in relation to the liquid gas.

Slidably fitted in the upper portion of bore 208 of the lower extension 201 is a valve member 237 engaging a seat 39 under the combined actions of the gas pressure and of the force of a coil compression spring 222 housed in a bore 223 of said valve member, this spring reacting against the upper face ofthe fixed socket 205. A plurality of peripheral flutes or like cavities 225 are formed on said valve member to permit the gas flow when the valve member is open. The bore 208 of the lower extension 201 of body 206 communicates via a lateral orifice 56 with the pressure gauge 5.

At its upper portion the valve member 237 terminates with a coaxial cylindrical pin 224 extending into the expansion chamber 32 and engaging a corresponding bore formed in the socket-forming lower end of a guide rod 236 of hub 35 rigid with the central portion of the resilient diaphragm 30 clamped between the body 206 and the cover 128 of the pressure reducing device 204, and responsive to the extended gas pressure. As in the case shown in FIG. 5, the diaphragm 30 forms with the body 206 a funnel-shaped chamber 71 permitting the downward flow by gravity, towards the tank of any recondensed gas particles through an oblique slit 72 formed through the bottom of this chamber. The operative relationship between diaphragm 30, compensator spring 40, the socket 43 and the control knob or wheel 45 is also the same as in FIG. 5.

When the control knob or wheel 45 is screwed out it carries along the axial rod 47 during the resulting upward movement of this rod 47 the lower spring cup 41 is also lifted, thus relieving the diaphragm 30 of the action of compensator spring 40 and permitting the closing movement of valve member 237 of the pressurereducing device under the dual action of the spring 222 and of the gas pressure.

The same valve-closing procedure is observed when the cover 128 is removed completely for replacing, for instance, the resilient diaphragm 30. In this case, the force of spring 222 and the closing movement of valve member 237 are so calculated that the latter closes before the cover is screwed out completely. After having removed the cover 128 completely, the operator can conveniently remove the diaphragm 30 with its rod 236, the latter being easily separated from the end 224 of valve member 237.

The operation described in the preceding paragraph can be carried out without draining the tank beforehand, since the valve member 237 is urged against its seat 39 by the gas pressure of which the output has been cut off.

It is thus clear that the pressure limiter 102 mounted in the outlet neck 33 for the expanded gas as in the case of FIG. 8 has a well-defined function and a very accurate action, since it operates under regulated-pressure conditions.

This limiter may also be mounted in the fashion illustrated in FIG. 5, i.e., upstream of the socket 205 provided for securing the dipper tube of the liquid level gauge.

Of course, it would not constitute a departure from the basic principles of this invention to have other apparatus or members added to, or removed from, the distributor units described and illustrated herein, or to remove certain apparatus or members therefrom, or to use apparatus or members of a type differring from that described in the above examples, as will readily occur to those conversant with the art.

I claim:

1. A distributor unit for a liquefied gas tank, which comprises a substantially vertically arranged assembly comprising a tank filling gauge, an output limiter, a pressure-reducing device comprising a body and a cover, a resilient diaphragm mounted within and between said body and cover responsive to gas pressure, a compensator spring mounted in said cover to bias said diaphragm against said gas pressure, control knob means mounted in said cover to control the force exerted by said spring, a valve member of the pressurereducing device which is connected to be actuated by said diaphragm and to control gas flow through said unit, and a pressure indicator connected to indicate gas pressure in said unit.

2. A distributor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a base member incorporating said output limiter and said filling gauge therein, said base member being clamped to a lower portion of the body of the pressure-reducing device with which said pressure gauge is connected, said control knob means permitting relieving said resilient diaphragm from the force of said compensator spring and closing the valve member through the dual action of the pressure of the gas contained in the tank and of a return spring.

3. A distributor unit according to claim 2, wherein said control knob means further comprises a rod cooperating with said compensator spring to transmit the force of said compensator spring to said resilient diaphragm, thus ensuring the cut-off valve function by closing the valve member of said device.

4. A distributor unit according to claim 2, further comprising a split collar integral with said base member for clamping said body to said base member in the desired angular but relative co-axial portion.

5. A distributor unit according to claim 2, wherein said control knob means comprises an adjustment screw, a distance piece associated with said adjustment screw and said compensator spring to limit the free stroke of said spring so that the minimum compression thereof is slightly inferior to the calibrated value of said spring when said control knob means is screwed out and said valve member of the pressure device is closed, and permit the opening of said valve member when the calibrated value is attained in the fully screwed-in position of said control knob means.

6. A distributor unit according to claim 5, wherein said body of said pressure-reducing device has a transverse partition forming therein a chamber having a frustoconical bottom wall, said chamber being closed by said resilient diaphragm.

7. A distributor unit according to claim 6, further comprising at least one perforation in said partition permitting communication between said chamber and a gas outlet neck, a slit formed in said frustoconical bottom wall leading to an orifice permitting passage of a portion of the valve member.

8. A distributor unit according to claim 7, further comprising apertures in one of said valve members to permit fiow, by gravity, of any liquid particles, resulting from a recondensation of the gaseous phase, towards the underlying tank.

9. A distributor unit according to claim 5, further comprising a ball interposed between the adjustment screw and the distance-piece, said distance-piece comprising upper and lower cups receiving the ends of said compensator spring.

10. A distributor unit according to claim 2, further comprising a chamber in said cover so dimensioned that said compensator spring can expand completely to prevent it from exerting any force against said resilient diaphragm of the pressure-reducing device in the fully unscrewed condition of said control knob means, the gas output being cut-off by the closing of the valve member of said pressure-reducing device.

11. A distributor unit according to claim 2, further comprising a dipper tube of the filling gauge which tube extends through the base member in which it can slide and abut against a lower portion of the pressure-reducing device, a safety valve rigid with said dipper tube and adapted to close the fluid passage through said base member, said safety valve being normally held in its unseated position by the lower portion of the pressurereducing device when the latter is screwed in said base member, a return spring connected to said dipper tube urging said safety valve to its seated position when said pressure-reducing device is screwed out, the stroke of said safety valve and the expansion of said return spring being so calculated that the closed position of said safety valve is attained before said pressure-reducing device is screwed out completely.

12. A distributor unit according to claim 11, wherein said safety valve is secured to said dipper tube of the filling gauge externally of said base member, so as to seal the lower end of said base member in the closedvalve position.

13. A distributor unit according to claim 11, wherein said safety valve is secured to that portion of said dipper tube' of the filling gauge which extends within a bore of said base member so as to seal the fluid passage through said base member in the closed-valve osition.

14. A distributor unit according to claim 1 further comprising an outlet neck of the pressure-reducing device and an output limiter disposed within said neck.

15. A distributor unit according to claim 14, wherein said output limiter comprises a square-sectioned member formed with a coaxial bore and slidably engaging the bore of said outlet neck, a stop socket secured to the outlet end of said neck, and a spring housed within the bores of said square-sectioned member and of said stop socket to urge them away from each other in the open position of said limiter.

16. A distributor unit according to claim 15, wherein the diameter of the bore of said stop socket is smaller than the length of the side of said square-secioned member so as to close the fluid passage therethrough when said member engages said stop socket in case of overpressure.

17. A distributor unit according to claim 2, wherein said body further comprises a screw-threaded and hollow lower extension to be screwed directly to a tapped boss of said tank, so as to include said filler gauge, inlet valve, tank pressure gauge and output limiter into said body.

18. A distributor unit according to claim 17, further comprising an abutment forming socket within said screw-threaded and hollow lower extension of said body, upstream of the valve member, and formed with a tapped portion adapted to be engaged by a screwthreaded upper portion of a dipper tube of the filling gauge, with axial orifices permitting passage of gas therethrough and with radial ducts permitting comm unication between the upper end of said dipper tube and the atmosphere.

19. A distributor unit according to claim 18, further comprising a coil compression spring disposed within said valve member slidably fitted in said lower hollow screw-threaded extension of said body of the pressurereducing device, said last-named spring reacting against said abutment socket and acting upon said valve member in the closing direction in conjunction with the gas pressure from the tank.

20. A distributor unit according to claim 19, further comprising a rod rigid with the central portion of the resilient diaphragm, the lower end of said rod engaging the upper end of said inlet valve freely in mutual sliding fit.

21. A distributor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a base member incorporating said output limiter and filling gauge therein and which comprises a pressure-gas outlet orifice whereby said base member can be used as a top valve system and as an expansion device, and a set screw for closing said orifice and permitting any desired relative angular positioning and the mutual locking of the pressure-reducing device and said base member.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,693, 652 D d September 26, 1972 Inventor(s) Jacques Iung It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The Letters Patent should show the four priority applications;

69/06 071 of March 5, 1969 69/35 868 Of October 20, 1969 69/36 035 of October'Zl, 1969 70/02 076 of January 21, 1970 Signed and sealed this 13th day of February 1973.

(SEAL) Attest a EDWARDv M. PLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A distributor unit for a liquefied gas tank, which comprises a substantially vertically arranged assembly comprising a tank filling gauge, an output limiter, a pressure-reducing device comprising a body and a cover, a resilient diaphragm mounted within and between said body and cover responsive to gas pressure, a compensator spring mounted in said cover to bias said diaphragm against said gas pressure, control knob means mounted in said cover to control the force exerted by said spring, a valve member of the pressure-reducing device which is connected to be actuated by said diaphragm and to control gas flow through said unit, and a pressure indicator connected to indicate gas pressure in said unit.
 2. A distributor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a base member incorporating said output limiter and said filling gauge therein, said base member being clamped to a lower portion of the body of the pressure-reducing device with which said pressure gauge is connected, said control knob means permitting relieving said resilient diaphragm from the force of said compensator spring and closing the valve member through the dual action of the pressure of the gas contained in the tank and of a return spring.
 3. A distributor unit according to claim 2, wherein said control knob means further comprises a rod cooperating with said compensator spring to transmit the force of said compensator spring to said resilient diaphragm, thus ensuring the cut-off valve function by closing the valve member of said device.
 4. A distributor unit according to claim 2, further comprising a split collar integral with said base member for clamping said body to said base member in the desired angular but relative co-axial portion.
 5. A distributor unit according to claim 2, wherein said control knob means comprises an adjustment screw, a distance piece associated with said adjustment screw and said compensator spring to limit the free stroke of said spring so that the minimum compression thereof is slightly inferior to the calibrated value of said spring when said control knob means is screwed out and said valve member of the pressure device is closed, and permit the opening of said valve member when the calibrated value is attained in the fully screwed-in position of said control knob means.
 6. A distributor unit according to claim 5, wherein said body of said pressure-reducing device has a transverse partition forming therein a chamber having a frustoconical bottom wall, said chamber being closed by said resilient diaphragm.
 7. A distributor unit according to claim 6, further comprising at least one perforation in said partition permitting communication between said chamber and a gas outlet neck, a slit formed in said frustoconical bottom wall leading to an orifice permitting passage of a portion of the valve member.
 8. A distributor unit according to claim 7, further comprising apertures in one of said valve members to permit flow, by gravity, of any liquid particles, resulting from a recondensation of the gaseous phase, towards the underlying tank.
 9. A distributor unit according to claim 5, further comprising a ball interposed between the adjustment screw and the distance-piece, said distance-piece comprising upper and lower cups receiving the ends of said compensator spring.
 10. A distributor unit according to claim 2, further comprising a chamber in said cover so dimensioned that said compensator spring can expand completely to prevent it from exerting any force against said resilient diaphragm of the pressure-reducing device in the fully unscrewed condition of said control knob means, the gas output being cut-off by the closing of the valve member of said pressure-reducing device.
 11. A distributor unit according to claim 2, further comprising a dipper tube of the filling gauge which tube extends through the base member in which it can slide and abut against a lower portion of the pressure-reducing device, a safety valve rigid with said dipper tube and adapted to close the fluid passage through said base member, said safety valve being normally held in its unseated position by the lower portion of the pressure-reducing device when the latter is screwed in said base member, a return spring connected to said dipper tube urging said safety valve to its seated position when said pressure-reducing device is screwed out, the stroke of said safety valve and the expansion of said return spring being so calculated that the closed position of said safety valve is attained before said pressure-reducing device is screwed out completely.
 12. A distributor unit according to claim 11, wherein said safety valve is secured to said dipper tube of the filling gauge externally of said base member, so as to seal the lower end of said base member in the closed-valve position.
 13. A distributor unit according to claim 11, wherein said safety valve is secured to that portion of said dipper tube of the filling gauge which extends within a bore of said base member so as to seal the fluid passage through said base member in the closed-valve position.
 14. A distributor unit according to claim 13, further comprising an outlet neck of the pressure-reducing device and an output limiter disposed within said neck.
 15. A distributor unit according to claim 14, wherein said output limiter comprises a square-sectioned member formed with a coaxial bore and slidably engaging the bore of said outlet neck, a stop socket secured to the outlet end of said neck, and a spring housed within the bores of said square-sectioned member and of said stop socket to urge them away from each other in the open position of said limiter.
 16. A distributor unit according to claim 15, wherein the diameter of the bore of said stop socket is smaller than the length of the side of said square-secioned member so as to close the fluid passage therethrough when said member engages said stop socket in case of overpressure.
 17. A distributor unit according to claim 2, wherein said body further comprises a screw-threaded and hollow lower extension to be screwed directly to a tapped boss of said tank, so as to include said filler gauge, inlet valve, tank pressure gauge and output limiter into said body.
 18. A distributor unit according to claim 17, further comprising an abutment forming socket within said screw-threaded and hollow lower extension of said body, upstream of the valve member, and formed with a tapped portion adapted to be engaged by a screw-threaded upper portion of a dipper tube of the filling gauge, with axial orifices permitting passage of gas therethrough and with radial ducts permitting communication between the upper end of said dipper tube and the atmosphere.
 19. A distributor unit according to claim 18, further comprising a coil compression spring disposed within said valve member slidably fitted in said lower hollow screw-threaded extension of said body of the pressure-reducing device, said last-named spring reacting against said abutment socket and acting upon said valve member in the closing direction in conjunction with the gas pressure from the tank.
 20. A distributor unit according to claim 19, further comprising a rod rigid with the central portion of the resilient diaphragm, the lower end of said rod engaging the upper end of said inlet valve freely in muTual sliding fit.
 21. A distributor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a base member incorporating said output limiter and filling gauge therein and which comprises a pressure-gas outlet orifice whereby said base member can be used as a top valve system and as an expansion device, and a set screw for closing said orifice and permitting any desired relative angular positioning and the mutual locking of the pressure-reducing device and said base member. 